Self-Assembly and Stability of Hydrogen-Bonded Networks of Bridged Triphenylamines on Au(111) and Cu(111)

The adsorption, chemical nature, and self-assembly of diaminotriazinyl- and carboxyl-substituted triphenylamines with dimethylmethylene bridges were studied on Au(111) and Cu(111) at submonolayer coverage by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory. On Au(111), both molecules form extended porous honeycomb networks. The geometry of the networks agrees well with density functional theory optimized hydrogen-bonded gas phase structures. Therefore, the self-assemblies on Au(111) are strongly directed by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. In contrast, on Cu(111) both molecules aggregate in dense islands owing to the stronger molecule–surface interaction. While the carboxyl substituents partially deprotonate at room temperature on Cu(111), the diaminotriazinyl-substituted triphenylamines adsorb mainly intact. The diaminotriazinyl groups deprotonate gradually at increased adsorption temperatures.